Latest Nottingham Forest news as Vitor Pereira's Reds beat Fenerbahce 3-0 in first leg of Europa League play-off
20:18, 19 Feb 2026
Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White
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Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White(Image: Yasin AKGUL / AFP via Getty Images)
Morgan Gibbs-White admitted Nottingham Forest’s 3-0 victory over Fenerbahce can act as a perfect confidence booster after a “difficult time”.
The Reds made the perfect start to new head coach Vitor Pereira’s tenure. They comfortably toppled their Turkish opponents at the Chobani Stadyumu in the first leg of their Europa League play-off
Murillo, Igor Jesus and Gibbs-White all got on the scoresheet to put Forest firmly in the driving seat to make the last 16 of the tournament, ahead of next week’s return leg at the City Ground. The visitors were excellent throughout as they made light of the challenge of playing for a fourth manager of the season.
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"His message to us is that we will have a real identity to how we play and defend as a team,” Gibbs-White said of Pereira. “We have all bought into what he wants straight away.
"It is about keep learning off each other and take it game by game. We needed a clean sheet and we needed a win and today felt like the perfect moment.
“Our fans were top tonight, they were incredible. An all-round incredible day.”
Pereira had minimal time to work with his players prior to the game in Istanbul, having been appointed as Sean Dyche’s replacement on Sunday. He takes over a team that has also had Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou at the helm this term.
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"I felt we had a real identity out there,” Gibbs-White told TNT Sports (via the BBC). “We defended well and we created so many chances."
"You want to enjoy every moment as a player. I said yesterday it can be difficult as footballer to enjoy moments because of how quick the games come up. We can enjoy it tonight and then prepare for Liverpool at the weekend.
"We have been going through a difficult time, confidence is the main thing and tonight will boost confidence. We just have to stay together and be the most complete team."
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